As if having melanoma isn’t already a big enough hurdle, a certain mutation has the potential to accompany it which can accelerate the cancer growth. Fortunately, there are options.
“A BRAF mutation is a genetic abnormality that happens within 50 percent of melanomas that spread to other parts of the body,” explains Dr. Anna Pavlick, medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. “It is this genetic abnormality that actually drives the melanoma to want to spread.”
BRAF mutations are increasingly being recognized as important drivers of tumor growth in a wide variety of human cancers. Doctors use biomarker testing to determine if the BRAF mutation is present. If so, they may recommend treatment with targeted therapies to stop the cancer from spreading.
These targeted therapies, called BRAF and MEK inhibitors, work by blocking the signals that help the cancer cells grow. Sometimes, two drugs are given together for combination therapy or with other types of medications.
FDA-approved targeted therapies for melanoma with BRAF mutation include:
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar)
- Trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf)
- Encorafenib (Braftovi) plus Binimetinib (Mektovi)
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) plus trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) plus cobimetinib (Cotellic)—combined with the immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab)Tecentriq
Getting tested to see if you have the BRAF gene mutation is important in deciding how to tailor your melanoma treatment. If you have this genetic mutation, your doctor will go over your additional options, such as prescribing certain medicines designed to block the mutation.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
As if having melanoma isn’t already a big enough hurdle, a certain mutation has the potential to accompany it which can accelerate the cancer growth. Fortunately, there are options.
“A BRAF mutation is a genetic abnormality that happens within 50 percent of melanomas that spread to other parts of the body,” explains Dr. Anna Pavlick, medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. “It is this genetic abnormality that actually drives the melanoma to want to spread.”
Read More BRAF mutations are increasingly being recognized as important drivers of tumor growth in a wide variety of human cancers. Doctors use biomarker testing to determine if the BRAF mutation is present. If so, they may recommend treatment with
targeted therapies to stop the cancer from spreading.
These targeted therapies, called BRAF and MEK inhibitors, work by blocking the signals that help the cancer cells grow. Sometimes, two drugs are given together for combination therapy or with other types of medications.
FDA-approved targeted therapies for melanoma with BRAF mutation include:
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar)
- Trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf)
- Encorafenib (Braftovi) plus Binimetinib (Mektovi)
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) plus trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) plus cobimetinib (Cotellic)—combined with the immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab)Tecentriq
Getting tested to see if you have the BRAF gene mutation is important in deciding how to tailor your melanoma treatment. If you have this genetic mutation, your doctor will go over your additional options, such as prescribing certain medicines designed to block the mutation.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
